Isaiah 17

2. Aroer. There was one Aroer on the river Arnon (Josh. xiii. 16), and another “before Rabbah” (Josh. xiii. 25), not far from Ramoth-gilead. The “cities of Aroer” may be these two, with their dependent towns.

3. They shall be as the glory. See ver. 4. The allied nations shall fare alike.

5 the valley of Rephaim. See note on Josh. xv. 8. 6 gleanings shall be left in it, etc. Rather, “gleanings shall be left in it, as the beating of an olive tree.” Olives being gathered (as walnuts are with us) by beating the tree with a stick, a few at the top would frequently remain unobserved: see Deut. xxiv. 20.

8 the groves (“Asherim,” R.V.) or the images. See notes on Judg. ii. 13; iii. 7. The “images” are “pillars of the sun” connected with the worship of Baal: see 2 Chron. xiv. 5; xxxiv. 4.

10 pleasant plants . . . strange slips. Or, “pleasant plantations and strange vines”—probably associated with heathen rites. For “pleasant plants” some read “plantings of Adonis” (Cheyne, R.V. marg.).

VER. 12-XVIII. The prophet now suddenly turns to the Assyrians, the instruments of God’s judgement, and describes the onset of their hosts, and their instantaneous destruction, which is depicted in language of wonderful force and vividness (12-14). Information of all this is to be given to the messengers of Egypt and Cush, that they may acknowledge God’s power (xviii.).

12. Wee to the multitude, etc. Rather, as R.V., “Ah! the uproar of many peoples, which roar like the roaring of the seas; and the rushing of nations, that rush like the rushing of mighty waters!” “So did the rage of the world sound to Isaiah, as it crashed into pieces upon the steadfast providence of God” (G. A. Smith).

13 the chaff of the mountains. Threshing-floors were commonly on hills: see 2 Sam. xxiv. 18, and note.

a rolling thing. R.V., “the whirling dust.”

14 at eveningfide, etc. A foreshadowing of the destruction of Sennacherib’s army. See xxxvii. 36.